27 Answers

+3

I must say I found it pretty safe when I was there 3 years ago. I stayed with friends of mine who have been living in Makati for a few years. Makati itself is very safe it's just apt blocks, hotels and malls so noting like the real manila but you feel very safe walking around there. We did go to other parts of the city too and always felt safe, the filipinos are so friendly and helpful never felt threatened at all.
This hostel looks like a good option for manila.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Our-Melting-Pot/Manila/36336

I agree with Suzie - Filipino's are just awesome people and full of welcome.

However, Manila is just like any other big city anywhere else in the world. There are areas that are 'safer' for tourists and there are areas that a tourist (and in many cases locals) should not venture into. As a simple rule - keep your eye's open, be aware of your surroundings, don't carry excessive amounts of cash, don't flaunt the cash you have and enjoy the travel experience.
almost 9 years ago

Yes I agree with the 2 previous posters, even me as a local I still take precautions when going to narrow streets. Get a map, general population can speak/understand english, and that is a plus, just be careful with too good to be true deals when you walk around.
over 8 years ago

Hi Aida. You appear to have asked your question as an answer to to one of my questions. It is probably best if you ask it as your own question using the 'Ask question' button. You are much more likely to get answers that way :). Jaidev S
almost 8 years ago

Philippines is very safe in the daytime almost everywhere, If I were a single woman I would take taxis that my hotel called for me and once you find a good driver text them for rides, Philippines is safer than the America, but as a foreigner you have a targret on you for the bad people.
almost 8 years ago

Malate: be careful. very tourist oriented. used to be an artistic nexus but creative spaces have shifted around Manila. now there are lots of korean BBQ and massage houses for the tourists. i stayed at a nice safe place recommended by friends --guests aren't allowed to sexually exploit the locals" but right behind the hotel was a beer place for tourists with really loud bad music. it is kind of centrally located. i wouldn't recommend it for a woman traveling alone. not really unsafe, but not that engaging. i was offered little girls to buy and almost killed the guy.
almost 8 years ago

To be fair, it's a City of 14 million and not planned out so there are great parts and places of despair. it's a mixed bag and just remember that no matter how loving and warm it is there, not everyone means you well.
almost 8 years ago

One of the greatest problems in Manila is the police. That is, they are quite corrupt. Be extremly careful in Manila. A friend of mine with MUCH travel experience (in the Philippines and the world in general) who regularly travels to the Philippines carefully avoids Manila. I found it to be one of the most dangerous places I have stayed.
over 7 years ago

Most common problem seemed to be set-ups by the police. One pal was arrested for an open beer, another for wearing no shirt, and another for carrying viagra. (This all happened in Jan of this year.) In all cases the police demanded some sort of money to let them go. (This one is not about danger but about corruption.) At a cafe in Manila the manager tried to charge us twice for beer and pizza. We spoke strong and tried to get away. We were stopped by a man I thought was another manager. He corrected me and said he was the Barangia (sp?) captain. I knew what this was, the local mayor's rep. I said we already paid and that the cafe manager said we only paid for the beer. But the bill showed the pizza and beer together. He looked at the bill then waved at us and said, you may go. After that I never went out alone. Next time I had to go through Manila, I just stayed overnight in the airport.
over 7 years ago

Manila is as safe (or dangerous) as any major city around the world except perhaps if compared to Singapore or city in Scandinavia. Manila, like any city, has it's share of crime and corruption. If you will exclude Manila from your future vacations, you might as well exclude many other Asian cities and ....... London or Tokyo, remember the train bombings. Or New York.
over 7 years ago

I've been there twice and last time took 3 kids. We also stayed with friends who are locals so we've been clued in to what to watch out for. If in central Manila stick to Makati area, Greenhills or Rockwell area. Also, we flew down to Boracay and had a great time with no problems. A smart traveller will always carry a little money and not wander up unlit, quiet streets. Most locals speak English and are very helpful but you need to remember it's a poor country so there are a few that will take advantage when they can. Wouldn't bother with Jeepneys as have heard they can can get held up and everyone on board robbed.
over 7 years ago

Just so no one is confused, there is the city of Manila (where Malate is), and there is Metro Manila which is made up of several cities including Manila, Makati, Quezon city, etc. I like Makati and Quezon City personally.
over 7 years ago

Manila is ok. Just like in any other places you go there are some bad elements. Filipinos are generally hospitable to visitors but of course there will be some out there who will extort you for money. Just tell them you don't have cash if they bug you. And don't flaunt any electronic devices. Have fun. But I suggest you go to greenbelt 3, 4, 5 in Makati. Safe shopping places. Ongpin in Manila for Chinese stuff. Paco Park in Padre Faura st in Manila for a very old church with tombs around the perimeter. Corner of Orosa and nakpil streets for bars. Intramuros, for the Spanish walled city. And enjoy the architectures of Manila city hall, national museum, phillipine postal office. I suggest you to go to quiapo but I suggest you go with someone local you know or with another person or group. Kinda dangerous there but you get all exotic products and cheap cameras and accessories.
over 7 years ago

I always ride jeepneys but be careful. A common pickpocket method there is the three person trick. On the jeepney, one person will move into you, the other will steal. At the same time the third is watching as look out. A local pal told me about this. He said they shoved into him and he put his hand in his pocket over his wallet. They shoved again from the other side. Then he looked at the three and said "I can see you. I know what you are trying."
over 7 years ago

Just as a heads up your friends may think that using the term "flip" is cool or cute but it is quite offensive so I'd avoid using that term in public. It is considered a racial slur FYI.

Also Manila is like many other cities that has it's good and bad sections. Unlike other countries around the world English is a primary language even though it's an Asian country. This comes to benefit many visitors as they are able to communicate. I'm from Quezon City which is in my opinion the nicest and most high end metropolitan area. Good luck and just use common sense
about 7 years ago

Manila, is still a very safe place. Just don't wander around places where you feel very uncomfortable. The name of the game(as is in any city), is to be alert and vigilant at the same time as enjoying the city.
about 7 years ago

Ok let me first start out by saying i have lived in the philippines all of my life. The safest places is the Banifacio area, Rockwell area and and Greenhills. Those places i dont mind walking around at like 3am, especially Bonifacio. Taxi's in the Philippines are alright, very cheap but if your a foreigner/tourist some may try to rip you off. (for reference a taxi flagging down fee is 50 pesos (a little more than a dollar) for metered taxi's. Watch out taking a taxi on edsa sometimes i have witnessed some robberies off of edsa. I agree with the fact that the Filipino people are very kind. As said in other posts above, Malate is dangerous especially at night. The MRT (the metro system which is a good way through edsa) is cheaper than a taxu ( about 12 pesos max for a trip down edsa). The problem about the MRT is it gets very crowded and sometimes people pickpocket, but overall i remember going on the MRT as a teen by myself and i felt alright, sometimes i felt like it was sketchy but overall alright. The problem with public transportation in the philippines is woman alone are sometimes in danger. For example my girlfriend once went on a taxi alone at 11 pm and the taxi driver started talking about how she should marry him and things like that and she felt uncomfortable like she was going to be in trouble ( by the way this was before we went out, she just told me the story). Back to my point Manila is generally safe, most areas with malls are very safe. Now to adress the corruption issue, yes the police in most places are corrupt but generally nice people (note:Bonifacio's police is known not to corrupt). But the reason why they accept money sometimes is that it really helps them out. They are not bad people i know that because i walk a lot and i like talking to the police once and a while. Back to safety, Jeepneys in manila are dangerous at times, i have had 3 friends who were robbed(they took cellphones and money and other stuff)but jeepneys in Banifacio are safe especially around the Market Market area (which is close to a few schools and condos Manila is a nice place and i could strongly say that the crime in manila is like ones of other big cities like Miami
over 6 years ago

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